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H2020Doctoral network2016–2020

TRACT · Training in Cancer Mechanisms and Therapeutics

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-10-01 → 2020-09-30
EU contribution
€2,877,077
Participants
12
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Training in Cancer Mechanisms and Therapeutics

There is an urgent need for researchers trained in next-generation technologies for improved detection and treatment of oral and oesophageal cancers. The number of oral cancers diagnosed in the EU has increased by over 75% in the last 30 years, with long-term survival rates of only 50%. This is typically due to the late diagnosis of the disease and resistance to current therapies. Through the ‘TRAining in Cancer mechanisms & Therapeutics’ (TRACT) project, eleven PhD Fellows are completing research projects in three critical thematic areas; biomarker discovery, molecular resistance mechanisms and metabolic transformation mechanisms. TRACT will enable these PhD Fellows to discover novel insights into the molecular and cellular basis of oral and oesophageal cancer and generate new diagnostic tools and therapeutics that will improve patient response and survival. Through a number of SME/industrial partners, the PhD Fellows are being exposed to next-generation technologies in areas such as cancer diagnosis, metabolism, biomarker identification and drug development. As well as attending a range of bespoke research training courses in the partner universities and within industry, the Fellows are also taking courses on how to commercialize research discovery. Thus, Fellows trained through the TRACT network will be uniquely positioned for careers in academia, industry or as entrepreneurs.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The European community requires early stage researchers (ESRs) trained in next-generation technologies for improved detection and treatment of oral and oesophageal cancers. The number of oral cancers diagnosed in the EU has increased by over 75% in the last 30 years, with long-term survival rates of only 50%. This is typically due to the late diagnosis of the disease and resistance to current therapies. Through the collaborative expertise of clinicians, biochemists, immunologists, and chemists TRACT will enable ESRs to discover novel insights into the molecular and cellular basis of these cancers and generate new diagnostic tools and therapeutics that improve patient response and survival. Each Institution brings unique but complementary expertise in cancer metabolism, metabolomics, high-resolution imaging, biomarker identification, computational modelling, medicinal chemistry, target validation, drug development and translational medicine. Industrial placements in five European countries will ensure ESRs receive specialised training in the development of next-generation technologies in such areas as whole genome sequencing, CRISPR technology, drug screening, exosome isolation and analysis, cancer imaging, metabolism and metabolite analysis in addition to the unique employment experience of working in the private sector. Courses in commercialisation, project management and presentation skills will ensure ESRs will have the ability to present their results to the entire cross-section of the European community, through public engagement. TRACT will deliver a cohort of internationally mobile cancer researchers with interdisciplinary skills who will have enhanced career prospects and be in a position to have an impact on the European and global research stage by providing new technologies that can drive entrepreneurship into the European economy and improved diagnostics and treatment options for cancer patients in Europe and beyond.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
  • ALMAC DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES LIMITED · CRAIGAVONUnited Kingdom
  • ANDOR TECHNOLOGY LIMITED · BelfastUnited Kingdom
  • Exosomics Siena S.p.A. · SienaItaly
  • Fraunhofer Society · MunichGermany
  • NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BIOPROCESSING RESEARCH AND TRAINING LIMITED · BLACKROCK DUBLINIreland
  • OPSONA THERAPEUTICS LIMITED · DUBLINIreland
  • OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS GmbH · InnsbruckAustria
  • Seahorse · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST · BELFASTUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SIENA · SienaItaly
  • UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA · ValenciaSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union